Rogue waters

Abstract

In this essay we give an overview on the problem of rogue or freak wave formation in the ocean. The matter of the phenomenon is a sporadic occurrence of unexpectedly high waves on the sea surface. These waves cause serious danger for sailing and sea use. A number of huge wave accidents, resulting in damages, ship losses and people injuries and deaths, are known. Now marine researchers do believe that these waves belong to a specific kind of sea wave, not taken into account by conventional models for sea wind waves. This paper addresses the nature of the rogue wave problem from a general viewpoint based on wave process ideas. We start by introducing some primitive elements of sea wave physics with the purpose of paving the way for further discussion. We discuss linear physical mechanisms which are responsible for high wave formation, at first. Then, we proceed with a description of different sea conditions, starting from the open deep sea, and approaching the sea coast. Nonlinear effects which are able to cause rogue waves are emphasised. In conclusion we briefly discuss the generality of the physical mechanisms suggested for the rogue wave explanation; they are valid for rogue wave phenomena in other media such as solid matters, superconductors, plasmas and nonlinear optics.